RTG Bills And RTG Timer

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Publisher's Description

RTG Bills is a time and billing program for sole practitioners and law firms. You can enter hourly rates, fixed fees, and expenses. Rates are taken from a rate table, up to 99 rate tables can be created. RTG Timer lets you time your work as you do it. RTG Timer communicates with RTG Bills over a network, or it can be used standalone on a home computer, or on a laptop computer while you travel.

I read the one negative review that had no "pros" and that prompted my review. This program does everything I need it to do and is very user friendly. The developer provides lightning fast responses to e-mail inquiries. I regret that I did not discover it until I had used my CPA's outdated software which was pretty much worthless and pricey to use.

Cons

The only con that quickly comes to mind is the process by which you convert a bill to pdf in order to e-mail it. It seems it could be much easier and faster.

Summary

AS I said before, my big problem is I didn't discover it until relatively recently. It does everything I want and is very easy to use. The bills are very professional looking and I can easily access data.

1. Very gentle learning curve. Easy to learn how to post time and descriptions.

2. Reasonably fast response from customer service. I suspect we deal direct with the main programmer. They have even customized statement and reports for us.

3. Handles multiple matters with separate billings, all summary billed for one client.

4. Does split billing, which can be very hard to find and is a make or break deal for Guardian ad Litem work.

5. Has a stopwatch function to keep track of your time.

6.Can be set up for multiple users WITHOUT going to some type of expensive network configuration software.

7. Easy installation

8. Handles Trust Accounting.

9. Can be carried on a laptop and entries updated to a different computer

10. Can be cloud based.

11. There are a lot of other features that are pretty common to all good programs and some that are surprises.

Cons

There are a few "wish list" items, but these are not problems:

There are no case management functions, or integrated conflict checks

It does not integrate with outlook or other calendars so appointments can be automatically billed from them.

Summary

Don't let the low cost fool you. This is a fully functional Time and Billing program. What is important is what it is not. It is not a case management or accounting program. I looked at over a dozen programs including Time matters, Abacus, Practicemaster / Tabs3 and some of the other lesser knowns like Workcentrics, Billtrackerpro and CLIO. Some of these integrated those functions, but that often seemed to over complicate the process, especially for a small practice. This seems to be a good blend of simplicity with enough functionality to get more than just basic billing done. Case management can always be handled with Outlook or a stand alone program.

Total crap.The program had some weird interface with 2006 Turbotax It's Deductible, right out of the gate. It tried to open that program, which wouldn't load. I pressed cancel, and it took me to the data entry window, which wasn't user friendly. I don't want to deal with a program that has a glitch before I even open it the first time. I don't really care why it had the issue. I don't want to waste time trying to figure it out and fix it. Give me something that works from the first time I open it, please, even in the "trial" version. And what's with using an out of date link to another program that wasn't supplied with the software? Makes no sense to me.

We have a small law office, and handle criminal defense and civil litigation. This program is perfect for us - simple, basic, and easy on system resources. RTG Timer and RTG Bills do everything we need, and don't need updates every day.

Cons

The client list on RTG Timer Ver. 2.16 does not allow you to scroll down - you have to click the "down" or "up" button. This is a nuisance.

Summary

RTG Timer and RTG Bills give you great value for the money. Am happy with the product and have no plans to change.

Program has all the functionality of much larger and much more expensive programs - including everything you need for handling retainers $$$.

Cons

None, really - This product is perfect for the solo on up.

Summary

Bottom-line. If your'e looking for an excellent legal billing program which can grow with you, along with top customer support, you've just found it.
Several add-ons (many free) are available from the website to enhance reports, and useability. The customer service is second to none - I have had several questions answered within minutes at all times of the day.

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